Adjustable louver assembly



June l2, 1951 A. H. wELLENsl'EK ADJUSTABLE LouvER ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct; 9, 1946 I INVENTOR.

7442 AYZRNEYS.

June 12, 1951 A. H. wELLENsrEK 2,556,352

` ADJUSTABLE LouvER ASSEMBLY Filed om.` 9, 194e s sheets-sheet 2 EV 3 4 Hrs ATTORNEYS.

June 12, 1951 A. H. wELLENslEK ADJUSTABLE LoUvER ASSEMBLY v3 sheets-sheet 5 Hilf ATTORNEYS.

Fild oct. s, v194,6

Patented June 12, 151

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEl ADJUSTABLE LOUVER 'ASSEMBLY Adolph H. Wellensiek, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application October 9, 1946, Serial No. 702,275

Y (o1. 16o- 169) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to window shutters and more particularly to such devices comprising a plurality of louvers, adjustably supported in a frame or guides, and including operating and control means whereby the louvers may be brought to a position to substantially cover a window over which the device is mounted, or only a portion thereof, as desired, or which may be caused to clear the window entirely, by means of which, the louvers may be tilted and held in a desired angle from a closed position regardless of the closed or open position of the window.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel and improved means for moving the louvers vertically in Wholly or partially covering or uncovering a window, and to stack or nest the louvers in the top region of the window when they are not in use, and to provide means for tilting and holding the louvers at any desired angle from the substantially vertical posi- `tion to horizontal and beyond to a total angular range of approximately 130 from the closed vertical position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a louver device of this class which will be simple and strong in structure so as to withstand the battering of severe storms, and which is economical of manufacture and highly efficient in intercepting the hot summer rays of the sun on the outside of a window and to dissipate their heat into the outdoor air instead of permitting those rays to pass through the windowpane with resulting accumulation of excessive heat indoors.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a louver device of this class on the outside of a window to divert wind driven rain from entrance through an open window, yet to permit air to pass for Ventilating the interior of buildings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel lifting and tilting mechanism fora plu-V rality of louvers vertically slidable over or within a Window opening in a wall with provision for adjusting the tilt angle of the louvers while in any desired vertical position of the louver assembly.

Another object is to provide maximum range of position of louvers at full spacing over any portion of the window from the top downward, and for maximum range of angular tilt from closed position.

A still further object is to provide for passage of air and light between the louvers as well as to permit maximum dissipation of heat into the outdoor atmosphere by reflecting `the sun yrays outwardly before they pass through a windowpane.

Another object is to provide for automatic folding of the louver supporting chain links and stacking or nesting the louvers at the upper end of the supporting frame.

Other objects of the invention are to provide for automatic support of louver supporting chain links and louvers in folded and stacked Vposition; to provide for automatic release of folded louver supporting chain links and orderly un folding in rotation of same to avoid jamming at the upper end of the outer chain rail; to provide for automatically locking the louvers in any inclined position; and to provide for cover plates over the louver operating mechanism for protection against sabotage and weathering, and for supplying exterior appearance in harmony with -the architecture of the structure to which attached. l

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of theY accompanyfl ing drawings and following specification, wherein is disclosed -one embodiment of the invention, and in which like reference characters are enfiployed to designate like parts throughout the same. t

In the drawings;

Figure `1 is a front elevation of a retractable adjustable louver assembly constructed according to the present invention and mounted 'on the face of a standard residential window"frai`ne, showing some of the louversA in extended posiition over a portion of the window' opening and others in stacked position immediately outside of the top of the window frame;

Figure 2 is a sectional View, taken on line 2-2 of Figure l, and shows the louver assembly frame adjacent to the outside face (trim) of a standard wooden residential window frame.`

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2 of the mechanism in the upper portion of the left guide rail assembly.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line '4-4 of Figure 3, showing the strap link chain assembly, the link trips and stops, retractable steady rest, and the upper left sprocket together with a sec# ltion 0f the left lift chain.

Figure '7 is a sectional plan view taken on line of Figure l, showing the gear mechanism in the lower end of the left guide rail assembly.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-3 of Figure 2, showing the gear mechanism in the lower end of the left guide rail assembly, also the left end of the lower louver in maximum ex- .tended position.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

The present embodiment of the invention is shown as comprising a single window unit, but it will be clear that two or more nearby windows, particularly adjoining window units commonly known as single mullon windows or double mullion windows, may be equipped with a separate set of louvers for each unit but all such adjoining units may be operated and controlled by an extended shaft across the top of all units to carry the necessary lifting sprockets and chains, and extended levers for the tilting mechanism such as herein shown at the lower end of the left guide rail assembly.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated,y the invention is shown lapplied in use in Figures l and 2, while Figures 3 to 9 inclusive illustrate the same in greater structural detail. In carrying out the invention, the guide rail assemblies 2| and 22 are adapted to be attached in a vertical position to the outside face of the side members of a window frame 23. Louvers 2.4 having attached shaft extensions are pivotally mounted at each end in the alternate hinges 24' connecting the links of the strap chains 26 shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4.

Spacer tubes 2.'|r and 28 in Figure 3 are carried on theshafts 25 and maintain. properly positioned alignment of the chain links 26 between the guide rail members 29, 3l), and 3 lV as shown in Figure 5.

Guide rail assemblies 2! and 22, Figure 1, are similar as. to most of their structural details, the principal diiference being in the control mechanism maintained inside the lower 'end of these assembly units, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The guide rail assembly members 29 comprise pressed metal channels having an arrow ange 29a forming the rear or inner guide rails for the chains 2lil and the wider flanges 29 forming the base members for the guide rail assemblies which rest against the window frame 23 and support the brackets 32, 33, and 34. rIhese members 29 are set on opposite sides of a window with the rails on the side toward the window.

The guide rail assembly members consist of standard angle bars with one flange forming the outer guide railsv for the chains 26. These angle bar rails extend downward from a point at the steady rests 35 in Figure 4 to a point immediately above the lower bracket and gear housing 3B. in Figure 8,A and are supported by one or more brackets 33 spaced between the brackets 32 and 34 in each of the two guide rail assemblies.

Guide rail assembly members 3l, Figure 3, 4 and: 5 consist of' flat bar sections with one face forming the outer guide rail for the shafts 25 carrying bearing tubes or collars 2, Figure 3. These are attached to the upper end of rails 38 by means of bolts and spacer blocks 3T and 3l respectively, and extend to the upper end of the guidev rail assemblies where they are fastened by brackets 38, Figure 4, to guide rails 29 in a spaced position so as to permit free movement vertically 4 for the louver shafts and the chain links 26 to fold as shown in Figure 4.

The upper ends of the strap chains 26, Figure 3, are fastened at 39 to the rear slide rail 29, near their upper ends, the lower ends of the chains, Figure 8, being fastened to lift chains 40, Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 8. These lift chains 40 are supported at the top of the assembly frame by sprockets 4| and 42, Figures l and 4 and at the lower end by sprockets 4.3 and 44, Figures 1, 2 and 8. Sprockets 4| and 42 are mounted on a cross shaft 45 so that sprocket 42 will drive sprocket 4|, Figure 1.

Sprocketv 44, Figures l, 2 and 8, is the main f drive sprocket for operating the lift chains. It is mounted on a shaft 45, Figures 7 and 8, together with a spiral gear 4l. This spiral gear is driven by a spiral gear 48 mounted on shaft 49, Figures '7 and 2, which shaft passes through the window frame to a point near the inside face of the window frame. The inside end of this shaft 49, Figure 2, is shaped to engage a removable crank 50 by which the shaft, gear and sprocket mechanism, and lift chains 40 form the means of lifting the louvers 24 toward the stacked position at the top of the window or lowering the louvers to cover the window.

The shaft extensions 25, are bent at the outside of the spacer tubes or shoulders 28 so as to form cranks, the webs of which are set at an angle of not more than about 60 from the shaft and crank pin center lines so that when the crank shafts of the several louvers are closely assembled in the stacked position of the louvers the crank webs will not interfere with each other in rotating the shafts.

The crank pins of crank shafts extensions 25 are slidably mounted in channels 5|, Figures 3, 6, 8 and 9, which are movable at right angles to crank shafts 25 but so mounted that they maintain a position parallel to guide rails 29, 30 and 3|, Figures 3, 5 and 9.

Channels 5| are each pivotally attached to one crank pin of each of two or more double end bell cranks 52 with 90Q separation of crank pins, Figures 3, 5, 6 and 9, which swing at the central or right-angle corner on a pivotal attachment to base bar 53 which in turn is rigidly supported by' brackets 32 and Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7 in a position parallel to the guide rails 2S, 30, and 3 l,

Connecting bars 54 are pivotally attached to the other crank pin of bell cranks 52. The upper lends of these connecting bars 54 are connected to one crank pin of a double end bell crank, with separation of crank pins, Figures 3, 5 and. 6, at the upper end of each guide rail assemblies 2| and 22, Figure l. These bell cranks are pivotally mounted on bracket 55, Figures 5 and 6, which is attached to the base rail 29 in guide rail assembly 2| and on a similar bracket 5.1 which is supported by bracket 32 in guide rail assembly 22. The other crank pin 58 of each of the bell cranks 55 are connected by cross bar 59, Figures 3 and 5.

The connecting bar 52 in guide rail assembly 2|, Figure 9, is attached at the lower end to a connecting link 63 which in turn is connected to the crank pin of crank 6| mounted on a stub shaft 62 together Iwith gear 63 of a worm gear set Figures 7 and 9.

The gear 63 is driven by a worm 64 which is mounted on shaft 65, extending through the baseof the guide rail assembly and through the window frame, Figures 2 and 7, to a point substantially in line with the indoor rface or trim of the windQW frame? The indoor end of shaft 65 is shaped to engage the removable crank 59, Figure 2. This removable crank is designed for attachment to shaft 49, herein already described; as Well as shaft 65.

The shaft 65, driven by hand crank 49 and carrying the worm gear 64 accordingly drives the gear 63 and through shaft 62, crank 6| and connecting links 69, 54 and 59 operates bell cranks 52 and channels 5| which in turn operate the crank shafts 25 attached to the louvers 24, thus furnishing the tilting motion to adjust the louvers to substintially any desired position. Upon release of crank 59 the Iworm gear set 63 and 64 automatically holds the louvers in any desired angular position at any desired elevation of the louvers.

The folding and unfolding of strap chains 26 in stacking the louvers at the upper end of the frame is performed and controlled automatically by steady rests 36 and pawls 66 and 6l, Figures 3 and 4. The steady rests 35 are pivotally mounted on the guide rails 3| and are supported in a position by tangential springs 68, spring bearing posts 69 and contact with guide rails 30 so that their outer faces 16 to form extensions to guide rails 30 when the strap chains 26 are moved upward, thus preventing folding of the links until the neXt above pair of louver shafts have been pushed above the pawls 66.

The pawls 66 are pivotally mounted and supported by tangential springs El so as to bear against the strap chains 26 to trip the free ends of the links and permit the ends supporting the louver shafts to fold into adjoining position, thus stacking the louvers. Pawls 66 then hold or assist in holding, the louvers in the stacked position.

The pawls 6l are pivotally mounted and supported by tangential spring l2 so as to bear against the strap chains 26 at a point a short distance above the bearing point of pawls 66 and in a position to trip 'the two links at the upper ends of chains 26 and then assist the pawls 65 in automatically supporting the louvers in the stacked position.

When the louvers are drawn downward from the stacked position the steady rests 35 retract suiciently against the action of spring 68 so as to permit successive pairs of links in strap chains 26 to unfold and enter the passagewaybetween guide rails 29 and 30 before the next upper pair of louver shafts are released by pawls 66.v

In the process of lowering the louversthe pawls 61 assist in regulating the movement and prevent overloading of pawls 66.

The guide rail assemblies 2l and 22 are protected by cover shields 'f3 which extend from the lower ends up to approximately the point where guide rails 3|) and 3| are joined and the depth of rail 3| is increased. Next above that point specially shaped cover plates M extend to, or if desirable somewhat above, the point where the edges of guide rail plates 3| again are parallel.

The upper end of the guide rail assemblies 2| and 22 and the area between, where the louvers are stacked, are covered by a specially shaped hood which extends across the entire top and upper front of the louver framework. Not only is this appearance of the assembly enhanced, but

the hood and cover shields afford good protection to the enclosed parts from the weather.

In the embodiment shown, the louvers 24 are preferably formed of sheet metal, such as, aluminum or aluminum alloy, which is not only light in weight, but is resistant to corrosion or tarnish when exposed to the weather. Each louver may be shaped in cross-section as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, that is, having a forward portion curved downwardly and a rearward portion curved upwardly. The extreme rear end of each louver may be formed as shown at 89 in a restricted concave shape along the under surface. By thus forming the louvers, I have found that the nesting thereof in the upper region of the frame is much more easily attained regardless of the tilt of the louvers when nested. The forward edges 8| will be free from one another in nested position and even though the louvers be nested when tilted to a near vertical position in the frame, binding will be avoided.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

I claim:

l. A window frame insert comprising an adjustable louver assembly, a frame for said assembly, a series of overlapping louvers, foldable means for supporting said louvers in said assembly frame, a shaft on each end of each of said respective louvers and having pivotal support in said foldable means, the shafts on one end of the respective louvers terminating in cranks, and means constantly engaged with said cranks for tilting said louvers between substantially horizontal and vertical positions, said last named means being operable at any position of said louvers along their line of travel in said frame, and a driven member for actuating said tilting means.

2. In an adjustable louver assembly, a frame for said assembly, a plurality of louvers, a collapsible support for said louvers in said frame comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected end to end, shafts on the ends of said louvers and pivotally supported in the alternate pivotal connections of said links, the shafts on one end of the respective louvers terminating in cranks, means operable for collapsing said support at the upper extremity of the frame and to nest progressively said louvers in closely stacked relation as said louvers approach the top of said frame, said last named means being also operable to space uniformly all or only a portion of said louvers over an area within the frame, and means engaging said cranks for tilting all of said louvers simultaneously and in any position thereof along their line of travel in'the frame.

3. A window frame insert comprising an adjustable louver assembly, a frame for said assembly, a plurality of connected louvers slidably and pivotally mounted in spaced relation along said frame, a crank shaft on each of said louvers, a driven member foldable in the upper extremity of said frame for supporting said louvers by said cranks, said driven member comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected in end to end relation, means for driving said member, said louvers being rotatably mounted in said driven member, and means for collapsing and folding said driven member in the upper confines of said frame whereby said. louvers may be stacked in close relation as they move upwardly toward the upper portion of said frame, said last named means including a pair of spring urged members disposed on opposite sides of said driven member, one of which normally exerts a thrust against said links of said driven member whereby to fold,

' 7 adjacent links at uponthemselves as said driven member moves toward the top of said frame.

4. An adjustable louver assembly comprising a frame for said assembly, a plurality of connected louvers, flat bar link chains mounted for movement in said frame, means for driving said chains, cranks extending outwardly from an end of each of said louvers and pivotally supported in said chains, a guide rail for said cranks and chains, means along said frame beyond an end of said guide rail for folding said chain links to nest said louvers in closely stacked relation as said louvers approach the upper end of said frame, means for releasably supporting said folded links, channel members at each end of the louvers for slidably receiving. said crank ends whereby to limit lateral movement of said louvers in the frame, and means for shifting said channel members transversely of the frame to effect a tilting of said louvers about their turning axes.

5. A window frame insert comprising an adjustable louver assembly, a frame for said assembly, a plurality of connected louvers slidably and pivotally mounted in spaced relation along said frame, a crank shaft on each of said louvers, a driven member foldable in the upper extremity of said frame for supporting said louvers by said crankshafts, said driven member comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected in end to end relation, means for driving said member, said louvers being rotatably mounted in said driven member, and means for collapsing and folding said driven member in the upper connes of said frame whereby said louvers may be stacked in close relation as they move upwardly toward the upper portion of said frame, said last named means including a plurality of spring urged members disposed on opposite sides of said driven member, one of which normally exerts a thrust against said links of said driven member whereby to fold adjacent links flat upon themselves as said driven member moves toward the top of said frame, and another of said spring urged members disposed above said first spring urged member and having a portion adapted to be projected between adjacent stacked links whereby to provide a support for those links stacked above said projection, said member being retractable from its stacked link supporting position during a stacking or unstacking of said links.

6. A window frame insert comprising an adjustable louver assembly, a frame for said assembly, a series of overlapping louvers, foldable means for supporting said louvers in said assembly frame, a shaft on each end of each of said respective louvers, said shafts having pivotal support in said foldable means, and a channel extending along each side of said frame and mounted for transverse movement with respect thereto, the shafts on one end of the respective louvers terminating in cranks said channels adapted to receive the free ends of said shafts andl cranks in constant engagement therewith for tilting said louvers between substantially horizontal and vertical positions When said channels are moved, means for moving said channels in the same direction simultaneously, said channels being operable at any position of said louvers along the line of travel in said frame to transmit angular motion to said louvers, and a driven member for actuating said tilting means. 7. A Window frame insert comprising an adjustable louver assembly, a frame for said assembly, a plurality of connected louvers slidably mounted in spaced relation along said frame, a shaft on each end of each of said louvers. a driven member foldable in the upper extremity of said frame for supporting said louvers by said cranks, said driven member comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected in end to end relation, means for driving said member, said louvers being rotatably mounted in said driven member, and means for collapsing and folding said driven member in the Lipper confines of said frame whereby said louvers may be stacked in close relation as they move upwardly toward the upper portion of said frame, said last named means including a pair of spring urged members disposed on opposite sides of said driven member, one of which normally exerts a thrust against said links of said driven member whereby to fold adjacent links at upon themselves as said driven member moves toward the top of said frame, said links having engagement with said other spring urged member during a reverse movement of the driven member whereby to release the folded links to an unfolded position as they pass thereby. 8. A blind comprising a plurality of louvers, a collapsible louver support, said louvers having pivotal support therein, said support comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected in end to end relation, a guide channel adapted to receive said support, and means located adjacent the end of said guide channel for collapsing said support whereby to stack the louvers carried thereby, said means comprising a plurality of spring urged members disposed on opposite sides of said support, one of which normally exerts a thrust against said links of said support after said links have moved to a position beyond another of said spring urged members, whereby to fold adjacent links iiat upon themselves as said links move past said last named spring urged member.

ADOLPH H. l/VELLENSEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 664,451 Alford Dec. 25, 1900 1,013,417 McIntosh Jan. 2, 1912 1,044,120 Bauer Nov. 12, 1912 1,268,413 Whetton June 4, 1918 2,167,849 Hepworth Aug. 1, 1939 2,234,399 Dougherty Mar. 11, 1941 2,237,350 Stobie Apr. 8, 1941 2,282,424 Laird May 12, 1942 2,386,695 Listei-Torsen Oct. 9, 1945 2,389,956V Castilonia Nov. 27, 1945 

